Famous Last Words

With a last name like Love, it seems almost too fitting that singer-songwriter, actress and artist Courtney Love would operate based on a heart-centric mentality. But judging by the latent messages her handwriting sends, the rock superstar does just that—though it might be something she’s changing. After the words “Rule to Live By,” Love crosses out the symbol of a heart, perhaps indicating that earlier in her life, her “rule” was to follow her own heart, explains Toronto-based graphology expert Annette Poizner. “That’s not a successful way to live. However, if she adheres to the sensibility she describes in this quote, she could become a great role model for other emotional, sensitive types,” says Poizner. The 48-year-old Hole vocalist and guitarist—whose writing demonstrates intelligence and musical skill—calls the quote, originally spoken by actress Jacqueline Bisset, “the wisest thing I have ever heard.” What does it mean to Love, exactly? “It means that age is not an issue, nor are looks,” says the musician. “It means that character is the most important part of being sexy or being youthful and of standing for something.”

See her handwriting dissected, below:

1. People who have an innate musical skill often form letters that look like musical symbols, like the f and d seen here.